Chapter 15: The Threat of a King

There was silence. Then, a follower tried to reason.

“How did he get control of the screens? Do you think he has an accomplice?”

Anders did not twitch. He did not move. The words of others came to him quietly, if at all.

“It does not matter,” he stated. The follower cowered. “Those responsible for this will face their punishment in time. For now, what he said must be dealt with.”

Taken as a request for ideas, the members of the board began to mumble to each other. Hadrian sat still, smiling at their phone as the headlines popped up, all to do with Nathaniel Hensley.

“Mr. Askeland, should we bury the story? It’s the word of a criminal, and he won’t be getting any more air time,” said one of the bravest in the room. Anders studied him as a lion might gaze at an infant. Anders stood up, his chair sliding and nearly tipping over in the sudden movement. He walked around the table, past the sweating faces of those who would consider themselves important in any other building. He kept walking, eventually reaching the large window that overlooked 49th street. He gazed down, seeing the excited movement of the masses. He felt no anger towards them. What he felt was much more peculiar—something only felt by a creator to his creations. It was sympathy.

“It isn’t necessary to keep any information from all of you anymore. What Nathaniel said is correct. We can use Perma Tech on humans. It works exactly as you think it might. Most of you did not know this because it was not needed. What you ask for is to benefit from this company, and benefit you will.”

Though surprised and annoyed, those present did not have the courage to speak back.

“I once told Nathaniel Hensley what I wished for. What I will have. His response was one none of you share. It was one I couldn’t imagine prior to his telling me. He said it was depressing!” Anders turned around, as shocked as he was the first time he heard those words.

“Why did he say it was depressing?” asked Hadrian.

“What I know of Nathaniel Hensley is that he is not a genius. He is not an expert in any field you hold dear, Hadrian. He did not amass wealth like the rest of you here. He is a man who, in its simplest form, acts how he sees fit. I cannot explain why he gave such a reaction, Hadrian. I cannot pretend it has any reason or thought behind it.”

“Well, I’d like to hear him talk about it,” responded Hadrian, curiously. Anders breathed in.

“We shall not bury this, Barrow,” answered Anders. Barrow perked up at the sound of his name. Anders often did this, delaying answers to questions just so he could watch their reactions.

“No?” Barrow questioned.

“No. His message got through. The citizens, they have heard what he said. They believe it. I hired him because he is convincing, and he proved me right. Trying to bury this would only give his words power.”

“What should we do, then?” asked another. Regret appeared on her face.

“It’s a fantastic question. Hadrian, what would you do?” Anders asked. It was rare he asked for a second opinion, if that’s what this truly was.

“First of all, I don’t think I care as much as you do,” replied Hadrian. Such a response would never escape the mouths of anyone else in the room.

“Pretend you do,” replied Anders, patiently.

“I guess I would want to talk to him. Not just to find out why he thinks it's depressing, but if I did care, I would want to let everyone else hear how he’s wrong.”

“That is what I will do,” replied Anders.

“Excuse me, but is a public debate really the best course of action? Is there not a safer strategy?” asked another. Anders walked back to his chair and sat. He appeared much lighter.

“Safer is used when confidence is absent. I know the people of this city. Nathaniel Hensley acts on a whim, I act with purpose. There are many options to take, but only one leads to victory. Barrow, get things prepared for tomorrow.”

Barrow nodded. The rest of the group left the room thinking the same thing—Anders wanted an excuse to exact his revenge. Some wondered if Hadrian knew this would happen, but no one wanted to go against the CEO or his favorite employee. They simply waited.

“Hadrian, is it ready?” Anders asked. Hadrian Jade stopped at the door. They were the last to leave.

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“It is, Anders.”

***

In the day following my announcement, there was noise in Echo City like never before. The citizens, normally silent and compliant, became chaotic and loud. The news outlets ran many articles about the event, most treating me as a lying, if slightly charismatic, villain. I expected as much. These articles were controlled by Antler, which in turn meant the citizens were controlled. However, such a shocking event meant the brains of readers were finally curious. It meant they finally listened and thought about what they heard.

Amahle was restless, no matter how confidently I assured her that Anders would respond in his egomaniacal fashion. I suppose I was perhaps too calm, but I could not control my emotions.

It was three in the afternoon when Anders showed up. Appearing on screens around the city was becoming a trend, one that I hoped didn’t catch on in other cities. He wore a purple suit and a purple bowtie, a combination that made me laugh in surprise. It was the color of royalty.

“Hello, Nathaniel,” said Anders Askeland, his face plastered onto screens the size of his ego. Pedestrians stopped and looked at the man that dictated their lives. Some felt reverence, and others felt a slight twinge of doubt. It was the first time such an emotion found its way into Anders’ life.

“Instead of ignoring your speech, I have decided to respond to your accusations.”

I expected as much. He was a man who could not have any openings in his armor. Any perceived weakness had to be addressed by him. I smiled.

“First, you mentioned your current status with Antler. I am afraid to inform you, Nathaniel, that in light of recent events, you are fired.”

I didn’t take Anders as a man who would make jokes. Such a tactic was good for easing an audience.

“Second, you told people to worry about Antler. You told them to worry about how we make what they use. Nathaniel, do you expect people to behave this way their entire lives? Do you wish for people to live in fear, without trust? This is not what I wish for. What I built is not to make a single life worse. It’s confounding you would think such a thing. Nathaniel, because of your theft, the outcome of Perma Tech is uncertain.”

I stopped smiling. Hidden within those innocuous words was a message. I looked up and met Amahle’s eyes. He was going to kill her.

***

In his office, Anders continued his speech without pause. He was great at everything he did.

“I cannot promise you much, given the law and the numerous ways you have broken it. What I can promise is that Perma Tech, should you comply, will become the invention I have hoped for my entire life. It is larger than you, Nathaniel. It is for everyone. It is forever.”

The cameraman was shocked by what he heard, but was professional enough to not let it show. Those down on the streets below felt vindicated, now hearing word from Anders himself that Perma Tech would allow immortality. Some nearly ran into the streets in their existential joy, but remembered they could still, in fact, die.

“I appreciate your passion, Nathaniel. I always have,” Anders added. He smiled. Such a sight was new for many watching. “I hope you make the right decision.”

With that, the speech ended. Anders walked away, returning to his day as he would any other. Those watching began a new round of discussion, focused on their favorite of the speakers. It was only Nathaniel and Amahle that understood what he had said.

***

“Do you know if he can do it?” I asked Amahle.

“Unless Hadrian has figured it out, it’s probably a bluff.”

“Bluff? Anders?”

“Okay, maybe Hadrian has figured it out.”

Out of all the outcomes, this was not one I expected. I had given him an avenue to sway the public while threatening Amahle. I made a mistake. Anders was winning.

“Nathaniel, calm down. You look like you’re about to scream,” Amahle said. I sighed.

“Do you have any information on Perma Tech he might not know? Anything?”

Amahle shook her head.

“Look, Nathaniel, you got into people’s heads. That was the first step. He did the same. All we can hope for is that you got into the right heads.”

“I didn’t want him to get into my head!” I exclaimed. I was beginning to dislike Anders more and more. He wasn’t just a rich CEO. He was a conniving, overly-competitive child.

“Nathaniel, we still have a card to play,” Amahle said. I looked at her.

“What are you talking about?”

Amahle slumped back. She never slumped.

***

Out of Antler Headquarters, amidst the confused masses, Hadrian Jade walked. They were puzzled. This was their preferred state.

Hadrian had solved many problems in their life. Mathematics came first. They discovered a solution to predicting prime numbers, and immediately put it behind them. Next, they turned to physics. Within six months, they had solved an issue with the Navier-Stokes equations, allowing humanity to fully understand the movement of fluids. This revolutionized engineering, climate science, and medicine. For Hadrian, it was another endeavor quickly forgotten.

This was the method by which Hadrian lived life. At any time, they pursued what was interesting. They pursued that which they did not understand. Once, that was Perma Tech. They became an expert on machine learning, applying it in strange ways to recognize various states in discrete numbers. They developed an intelligent response to damage. Right now, the problem wasn’t something. It was someone.

“Nathaniel, Nathaniel,” Hadrian said to themselves as they scrolled down their phone. The headlines were bombarded with Anders’ and Nathaniel’s faces, and the discussions were a mess of information and conspiracies. “We need to talk.”

Hadrian tapped away at their phone, which, due to personal modifications, was more advanced than any on the market. They finally called.

“Hello, Nathaniel. This is Hadrian Jade. I want to talk to you.”